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Autonomous Altitude Control Device For Latex Hab, John W. Siepierski

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The advent of latex High Altitude Balloons has dramatically reduced the costs associated with conducting research at altitudes reaching the stratosphere. Latex balloons are less expansive than zero-pressure and super-pressure alternatives, but they have an important disadvantage: while zero-pressure and super-pressure balloons can float at a desired altitude for long periods of time, latex balloons ascend continuously, flying only around two hours before reaching a bursting altitude (usually around 100,000 ft) and falling back to earth. Enabling latex High Altitude Balloons to float at a constant altitude for extended (and specifically defined) periods of time could make them significantly more …